On April 6, 2011 the Virginia General Assembly approved and the Governor
signed into law an authorizing statute to exempt certain disabled
veterans and their surviving spouses from local real estate tax on their
principal residence. This legislation implements the Virginia
Constitutional amendment approved by the electorate in November 2010.

In order to qualify for the exemption, the veteran must be rated by the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency to have a
100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability and must occupy
the property as his or her principal residence. Our application provides
more detail as to the requirements. Generally the application is a
one-time process and does not need to be submitted annually, unless there
is a change in circumstances such as if the veteran’s principal place of
residence changes.

This exemption has no means test (it is not based on the applicant’s
income or assets). However, certain documentation must be submitted in
order to qualify. The exemption is effective beginning on and after
January 1, 2011. Taxes assessed for years prior to this date are not
eligible for exemption.

To obtain required disability documentation from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), simply complete VA Form 21-4138 and
fax this to the VA at540-597-1792; or mail this form to:

By law, disability documentation must come from the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. It is not sufficient just to submit
a medical certification from your private physician.

After receiving the required VA documentation, simply download
the Fairfax County Disabled Veteran
Exemption Application and submit the application and
documentation to the Fairfax County DTA at the address on the
application.

For tax year 2011, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has adopted a
lower Car Tax rate of $0.01 per $100 of assessed value on one motor
vehicle owned and regularly used by a qualifying disabled veteran in
accordance with Virginia Code §58.1-3506(A)(19). Download the Application for
Reduced Personal Property (Car Tax) Rate for Qualifying Disabled
Veterans here. Applicants will be required to provide official
documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that verifies
the disabled veteran has been rated by such agency to have a "100%
service-connected, permanent, and total disability or has either lost, or
lost the use of, one or both legs, or an arm or a hand, or who is
blind." The reduced Car Tax rate is subject each year to adoption by
the Board of Supervisors during their deliberation on the County’s annual
budget. Disabled veterans need only apply once, but must contact DTA to
receive the lower rate on a different vehicle should the approved vehicle
be otherwise moved, sold or disposed. Please note,
if you are also applying for the real estate exemption described above,
you do not need to submit a separate application. Our office will apply
the lower Car Tax rate if you qualify.

Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions by
e-mail at dtadav@fairfaxcounty.gov or by
calling 703-222-8234.